Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

'Santaland Diaries' at NMU

News Releases

MARQUETTE—The play Santaland Diaries, which is based on an essay of the same name by David Sedaris, will be performed at Northern Michigan University. Show times are 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The play will be staged in the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre in the McClintock Building. It is for mature audiences only because of language and sexual references. Tickets are $5 for students and the general public, and are available at any NMU EZ Tickets outlet.

Santaland Diaries reflects Sedaris’ real-life experience as Crumpet the Elf in the Macy’s department store Santaland display. Sedaris, an NPR humorist, is the best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. The stage adaptation of Sedaris’ essay is written by Joe Mantello.

This performance is the capstone project for NMU senior Jacob Barbot, a theater major from Big Rapids. Barbot’s past performances at NMU include Peter Pan, Of Mice and Men, The Near East, Compleat Female Stage Beauty and 1776.